Which entry-level DSLR???

Lauz1981 · 19-11-2009, 9:48 AM

Please help......i am moving onto a DSLR at Christmas but it seems that there are so many entry-level ones to choose from. After speaking to 2 friends who are both studying degree level photography, they both suggested Nikon or Canon. However, when i went into Jessops to get some advice, they moved me towards the Sony Alpha 330. It was my first time using a dslr and my first impressions of the sony were very good, and i especially liked the live mode feature. I'm not looking to be a professional photographer or anything like that and its more that i want to progess within the hobby, also im going to Las Vegas and San Francisco next year so it would be perfect for that!

Soooo....if anyone could advise on a entry-level dslr for me that would be great, i know its down to personal choice, but some advice would be beneficial! thank you =)

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauz1981

However, when i went into Jessops to get some advice, they moved me towards the Sony Alpha 330.

The Sony A330 from Jessops (with cash-back) is a bargain at £340. If you like the feel of it, go and buy it. It's a great dSLR.

Strobe · 19-11-2009, 10:28 AM

The DSLR market is mature enough now that all of the major brands ie. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus and Pentax, all produce good starter DSLR's. It really comes down to budget and the feel of the camera in your hands. If live view is important then certainly the Sony live view is better implemented than Canon or Nikon.

Off the top of my head, you have the Canon 1000D, the Canon D3000, the Sony A230/A330, new Olympus E600 and Pentax K-x. Prices on these vary but range from £350 to £550 odd.

I think the Jessops store is very dependent on the staff on duty at the time, some are really clueless, others are genuinely knowledgable and helpful.
Our local London Camera Exchange store (Southampton) is far better than the Jessops offerings.

I wouldn't be swayed by the sales man trying to push you in one direction or another, check up the reviews on-line yourself.
1001 Noisy Cameras and Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ are a good place to start for reviews and Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear for price comparisons.

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiewood

The Sony A330 from Jessops (with cash-back) is a bargain at £340. If you like the feel of it, go and buy it. It's a great dSLR.

Eddie - do you know by any chance the minimum model from the Current Sony Range that has AEL ?

Jim

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotokan101

Eddie - do you know by any chance the minimum model from the Current Sony Range that has AEL ?

Jim

Although they don't have an AEL button the newly released v1.10 firmware for the A230, 330 and 380 states:

"This utility updates the DSLR-A230 firmware to version 1.10 and improves the operability of the AE (Auto Exposure) lock function. After updating the firmware, the exposure will be locked when the shutter button is pressed half way down when shooting with the metering mode set to either Spot or Center Weighted."

Not a great solution IMO. The A5xx has an AEL button.

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 11:51 AM

Thanks again eddie - Agree - not ideal but a definite improvement although I guess in some modes could cause AF issues perhaps.

JIm

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotokan101

Thanks again eddie - Agree - not ideal but a definite improvement although I guess in some modes could cause AF issues perhaps.

JIm

Yup, I couldn't do without an AEL button. But for entry level dSLRs the firmware update will probably cover the AEL issue that new starters may have.

It's one of the reasons I would have the A200 over one of the new A230/A3xx.

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 12:11 PM

Yep - guess I'll keep watching that "discontinued" A200 at one of my local Comet branches

Jim

kelly41 · 19-11-2009, 12:36 PM

check your local asda stores i got my a200 from there a few weeks ago for £247 they still have one left too so theres a chance that some by you may still have some

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly41

check your local asda stores i got my a200 from there a few weeks ago for £247 they still have one left too so theres a chance that some by you may still have some

Bugger! - didn't even know Asda sold them

Thanks fior the tip

Jim

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotokan101

Bugger! - didn't even know Asda sold them

Thanks fior the tip

Jim

They come up on eBay second-hand.

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 1:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiewood

They come up on eBay second-hand.

Thanks Eddie I do keep an eye open there as well but "New is Nice" if the cost is right of course

Jim

kelly41 · 19-11-2009, 1:04 PM

if you know anyone in the west midlands i could give you the store address and number where they still have one

its better than buying 2nd hand as you get 12 months warranty

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly41

if you know anyone in the west midlands i could give you the store address and number where they still have one

its better than buying 2nd hand as you get 12 months warranty

Thanks for the offer but I don't know anyone that well down in that area - good thinking though.

I will pop round to a couple of my local stores as soon as get a chance though

Jim

OrbitalPete · 19-11-2009, 1:25 PM

I would strongly suggest looking for a second hand body as your first (and subsequent) DSLR. You get a lot more bang for your buck, and every second hand body I've ever had has been in great condition. Have a look on teh classifieds section ont hese forums to see the kind of thing you can get for the money.

Lauz1981 · 19-11-2009, 1:34 PM

Thanks for your advice guys, do any of you own a Sony and if so, what are your thoughts on them?

Also, with a sony are you restricted with the types and choice of lens?

shotokan101 · 19-11-2009, 1:35 PM

Thanks Pete - I'll also keep an eye out on the classifieds here.

Jim

OrbitalPete · 19-11-2009, 1:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauz1981

Thanks for your advice guys, do any of you own a Sony and if so, what are your thoughts on them?

Also, with a sony are you restricted with the types and choice of lens?

A friend of mine has a Sony a200 and having used it I like it a lot. It's not quite as flexible as my own Canon 450D, but it's half the price :D

As far as lenses go; you are resticted to A mount lenses. Sony make a load, Sigma and Tamron make lenses for it, and there is a plethora of old Minolta lenses. There's as much choice as you'll find on the Canon and Sigma fits. The one area where perhaps Sony suffer is the very high end (£1000+) lens ranges. On the other hand, because there is in-body image stabilisation in the Sonys, the lower and mid range lenses in the A mount are rendered far more flexible than they are on other make fittings.

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 1:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauz1981

Thanks for your advice guys, do any of you own a Sony and if so, what are your thoughts on them?

Also, with a sony are you restricted with the types and choice of lens?

I have the A200 and upgraded to the A700. The older A200, A300 and A350 are excellent cameras. I have no doubt that the new versions like the A330 will be too, it really is a bargain with cash back.

You will hear stories (from certain Canon and Nikon users) about a lack of lenses for the Sony. The Sony lens mount is the same as used on 20+ years worth of Minolta AF mount lenses (see my sig. for the ones I have). There are plenty of third-party Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Cosina etc., lenses.

You will never need, nor afford, the amount of lenses that are available new and second-hand for the Sony/Minolta mount.

Lauz1981 · 19-11-2009, 1:46 PM

Ok, but for someone like me who wont be going in a professional direction, i think a Sony would be more than good enough right?

Also, i have read 2 reviews, one for the a330 and one for the a380, but it seems that the a330 gets the better review?? is that right? i was surprised seeing as the a380 was meant to be a step up from the 330??

cheers
x

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 1:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauz1981

Ok, but for someone like me who wont be going in a professional direction, i think a Sony would be more than good enough right?

Also, i have read 2 reviews, one for the a330 and one for the a380, but it seems that the a330 gets the better review?? is that right? i was surprised seeing as the a380 was meant to be a step up from the 330??

cheers
x

The A380 has a higher mpix count, image quality will suffer. Given the choice I would choose the A330 too.

OrbitalPete · 19-11-2009, 1:50 PM

The point is that the Sony range is on a par with Nikon and Canon at entry/mid level bodies.

However - the real thing which should make the decision for you is to go into a shop and get your hands on the different cameras, and find the one that feels most comfortable to you to use.

Lauz1981 · 19-11-2009, 1:53 PM

Yes you are right, i need to have a good feel, and like most people say its not always the camera, its the person taking the photograph that makes it good.

I just wish there wasn't so much choice, i am so indecisive and when so many people tell you different things it makes the decision so much more difficult!! haha...

Ok, another question.... for someone that likes going to gigs frequently, what type of lens would i need? and for landscape, holiday shots?...i was looking at a Sony 75-300mm telephoto zoom for £125.00???

thank U =)

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 1:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauz1981

Yes you are right, i need to have a good feel, and like most people say its not always the camera, its the person taking the photograph that makes it good.

I just wish there wasn't so much choice, i am so indecisive and when so many people tell you different things it makes the decision so much more difficult!! haha...

Ok, another question.... for someone that likes going to gigs frequently, what type of lens would i need? and for landscape, holiday shots?

thank U =)

Gigs depends on lighting and distance from the subject, whether you can use a flash or not etc.

The 18-55mm supplied with the camera body is the best place to start for landscape and holiday shots.

Stick to the 18-55mm before purchasing another lens.

OrbitalPete · 19-11-2009, 3:10 PM

A great everyday lens would be something like the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. I've only done a bit of gig photography but I found myself mostly sitting in the 30mm-150mm range. Be aware that because gig photography is generally in low light and you don't use flash that you really beenfit from fast lenses (i.e. f1.2-f4). That makes it expensive.

As said; the kit lens is a good place to start, you can always upgrade later when you have a better feel for you personally need.

drsuave · 19-11-2009, 3:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrbitalPete

A great everyday lens would be something like the Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

Great lens

Lauz1981 · 19-11-2009, 7:32 PM

what's this Panasonic Lumix D1 about?? i keep seeing it advertise..is it a dslr???

Pirate!! · 19-11-2009, 7:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrbitalPete

The point is that the Sony range is on a par with Nikon and Canon at entry/mid level bodies.

You'll do just fine with whatever make/model you decide on. In the entry level market, they're much of a muchness. There are subtle differences of course, but that's for you to research and decide on. Needs and wants.

drsuave · 19-11-2009, 7:59 PM

if it is just an entry level you want go for anything tht suites you.

But if you think you might take it further i would go for canon or nikon.

I went down the canon route:

350D -> 40D -> 5D mk2

If you take if further it does end up ALL being about the glass

slippers9 · 19-11-2009, 8:09 PM

I have just seen a Lumix G1 advertised that is supposed to be a dslr but not as big and bulky. It has some great reviews on shopping sites.

I am looking at a dslr for the missus, she is quite small so the G1 is quite attractive. It will be her first dslr, do you folks rate it? How much different is it in size to the others suggested on this thread such as the A200?